Gianyar Provides Specialised Milk to 28 Stunted Toddlers to Boost Growth

A total of 28 toddlers in Ubud Village and Bedulu Village, Gianyar, Bali, have received processed food products for special medical purposes (PKMK). The children are suffering from severe malnutrition resulting in growth failure, or stunting.

“We are currently monitoring the distribution of PKMK milk for stunted toddlers, as well as providing guidance on the implementation of Posyandu services under the six Minimum Service Standards (SPM) in Ubud Village and Bedulu Village,” said Gianyar Posyandu Development Team Chair Ida Ayu Surya Adnyani in a statement on Thursday.

Adnyani explained that this PKMK distribution is the third stage of a planned six-stage programme. A total of 13 PKMK packages were provided to toddlers in Ubud Village, while 15 packages were distributed in Bedulu Village.

“The distribution of these 28 PKMK packages is expected to accelerate the reduction of stunting in Gianyar. We hope that the 13 children receiving this intervention will no longer be included in the stunting data. Therefore, they must be continuously monitored, weighed, and have their height and other development measured,” Adnyani said.

Adnyani stated that the programme is part of the Gianyar district government’s serious commitment to reducing stunting rates, supported by fiscal funds from the central government. The provision of PKMK must be accompanied by monitoring of the children’s growth and development, as well as education for parents.

Intervention for toddlers remains crucial, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, through education, nutritional fulfilment, and regular growth monitoring. For pregnant women, stunting prevention should ideally begin before the baby’s birth. If necessary, it can be planned from the time a couple prepares to become parents.

“We want to see visible progress after this third stage. Therefore, the children must be continuously monitored by midwives at auxiliary health centres or community health centres, as well as by Posyandu cadres,” she said.

Adnyani noted that the various interventions are beginning to show positive results. Gianyar’s stunting rate has decreased from 4.3 per cent to 3.8 per cent. This achievement serves as motivation to continue strengthening collaboration between the government, health workers, Posyandu cadres, and families.